State news did not mention the downing of the plane, which the Nusra Front said happened near the army-controlled Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province.

World Bulletin/News Desk

The Nusra Front said on Twitter on Sunday it had shot down an army cargo plane carrying food and ammunition overnight in the northwest of the country, but Syrian state television blamed the loss on bad weather.

Reuters could not verify either account due to security and reporting restrictions in Syria.

Syrian state television quoted a military source as saying the cargo plane crashed due to "weather conditions and heavy fog" on Saturday evening. The crew had died as the plane crashed while attempting to land at the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province.